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Tube Pre-Amp Recommendation

Im new to this forum but have spent few months reading into posts. The more i read the more i get confused on my first purchase of a Good quality Tube Pre-amp. At this very moment I have always used Solid states pre-amp but after hearing the Audio Research Arc Ref 5 and 3 I am on the upgrade bug. Considering these units cost allot of money I need some suggestion if there are other Tube Pre-Amp which can either match similar levels to the Arc Ref 5 or better it.

I am not bothered about name brands or looks of the unit rather on how it presents the music to me.
I have not own a Tube Gear before in my life, and not sure on how to go about it. BTW I am in Indonesia (A British Expat Working and Living Here)

Demoing unit is out of the question here, even buying a unit here is so much more expensive then back at home In the UK. I prefer to Buy from USA (Will use a Power converter if needed)

My Current Setup is:
Speakers: Philharmonics 3
Amplifier: Audio GD Master 2 Series Mono Blocks (Will Upgrade Later to Krell, Macintosh or Pass)
CD player: Oppo 95 Using on Board DAC for the time being. Looking to upgrade later on for DAC
Room: Heavily treated, with Foam, Acoustic Panels, Bass Traps in all 4 Corners.

Budget less than 6000 Dollars.

Need Performance Level Matching that of Arc Ref 5Se or better.

Need suggestion and opinion on how to go about this. I prefer fasting sound more to neutral. Slight warm but not too much. I did find Cary SLP05 Pretty Warm, however on Ebay it slipped my fingers otherwise I was going to pull the trigger on that. I will being pairing this with Solid State Amplifier don’t want to get into Power Amps using Tubes for the next few years at least.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks Guys
dragon_vibe
dragon_vibe OP
430 posts
 
I got a email from Pual today. Claims i made 2 of his customers angry???? what the hell is going on???

Here is a snippet. My email was asking on build times

:

This is wrong.

If you really desire that I be discredited and go out of business, then I will at your wish if you truly believe that I shouldn't be in business and I shouldn't sell preamps to those that wish them. But words do have consequences when left unchallenged on an internet post that gets read worldwide. I don't think it's in your best interest but it may well be. I know that you've angered a few of my customers who you don't know and haven't posted and want to know from me if I care or want to have the record set straight. So we don't need any of this to go on. I think the ARC is right for you right now and will be exactly what you need. Then I'll go along servicing my two customers.

Is he reffering to both of you or has paul mistaken me for someone else. All these responses are very confusing.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,467 posts
 
Dragon, you have many good choices given and I am sure anyone of the suggestions will sound quite good. In terms of your confusion with the email sent to you, well please consider a couple of things from the builders perspective.

Stating a small group of folks purchased the Dude is really not true or accurate. Actually many have been sold each year for several years, but most owners are music lovers not inclined to spend time here as I do. Your post also suggests just two people do his marketing ( pointing to me) when of coarse I am not at all their marketing arm, but simply an active and passionate audiophile who posts regularly on many subjects.

When you bring up things like scams, no internal pics, displeasure with this and that one can certainly understand the builders concern and caution.

Many preamps have no internal pics . You won't find any on the fine Coincident and many small operation products. This is common. In addition, it is common for a company not to loan out amps or preamps on trial that take one person weeks to make. My goodness how or why should a one man operation do this. Surely such an offer is not reasonable on a 70 pound labor of love that requires weeks of preparation.

Lastly, no I am not angry and certainly he has many, many owners besides me and other posters who love his gear and enjoy Paul's service. His world is far bigger then me and the posters here and I understand you would not know this.
dragon_vibe OP
430 posts
 
The Dude is off the List for sure because I still dont know what this guy is talking about but im not paying someone 6000 dollars specially when i get emails like this

Zafir, please take any TRL product off your product search. We have nothing to do with people who openly criticize us by posting personal communication without our expressed permission. This lack of character or integrity is unacceptable by itself. Your knowing that I don't post online so that I won't come after you to set the record straight is plain cowardly. Besides, since your first email and your involvement with those crystals creeped me out on the spot as it just disturbs me.
So you've just shortened your journey and can cross one more company off your list. That's good, it gets you to your goal....

Critize what??? I dont understand when someone needs to part 6000 dollars do they not have the right to ask people questions and investigate or research?

I wont be bother with this. The dude is of the list as the dude is too crazy for me.
abruce's avatar
abruce
246 posts
 
Granny ring I'd still like to compare my CST with the Dude perhaps after the holidays and the blizzards.
Bruce
davea33
40 posts
 
Dragon_vibe,
I bought the Dude based on the postings here and everything that is said is true. It truly changed what I thought was possible with my system.

Consider the amount of marketing a company does and whether they have a resellar/distributor model. If they do, part of what your purchase price is for those things. It is obvious to at least me, the money you are paying for a Dude all goes into quality parts, labor and unbelievable sound quality and nothing else.
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